Tallahassee, FL –FloridaState pushed up its final scrimmage of the season so as much of the team as possible could be together for the final tune-up. With India Trotter heading to US National Team camp Tuesday, this was the last chance for the All-American to play with newly arrived Sel Kuralay before the start of the regular season. The opponent was once again a men’s club side. Unfortunately Mother Nature did not cooperate as there was lightning in the area. The game was called after 30 minutes of play. A brief recap is below.

The first 10 minutes of the game the men applied a lot of pressure. There was a definite difference in attitude from the first meeting. The men pushed the tempo much more and attacked more vigorously as well.

FSU didn’t mount any sort of attack until 9:00. Selin Kuralay made a great turn in the midfield and played Trotter. A foul stopped the attack.

FloridaState struggled to hold on to the ball as Head Coach Mark Krikorian urged the team to possess.

Annie Stalzer rips a shot from the top of the box as the freshman continues to display a big-time leg. Ali Mims though was up to the task as her diving save kept the game scoreless.

Mims came up with another big save on a shot from just inside the 18. This drive was sent to the near post and the senior keeper punched it away preserving the tie.

While the Seminoles were under pressure more often and struggled a little more to generate an attack, there was vast improvement in the defense from the first scrimmage.

The best piece of attacking soccer came just before the game was called. Kirsten van de Ven played a very nice ball down the flank to Iraia Iturregi. The junior was taken off the ball by the defender but continued to fight and win a penalty kick. The PK was one of two the refs were instructed to call. One was set to go each way but the men never got their chance and Kuralay buried the free kick for the referee-aided 1-0 lead.

FloridaState had one last dangerous opportunity on a throw-in to the near post. FSU had an attacking player right there to latch on to the service but the ball bounced just over her head.

NATIONAL TEAM NEWS

Sarah Wagenfuhr’s U-20 US National Team improved to 2-0 at the FIFA World Championships in Russia Monday. After a narrow victory over DR Congo, the team had a much better showing versus Argentina winning 4-1. Wagenfuhr recorded an assist and played the full 90 minutes after playing just seven minutes in the opening game for the US.

The win has qualified the United States for the quarterfinals despite still having a match to play versus France. The US will face France in the final game in group play Thursday at 7:00 p.m. Moscow time.

India Trotter will head to Carson, CA to train with the full US Women’s National Team Tuesday. The Seminole All-American is not on the roster for the game versus China as of yet leaving the door open for her return for FSU’s season opener versus No. 1 Portland Saturday.

OF NOTE

FloridaState‘s season opener versus Portland will be the debut for two huge new innovations at FloridaState. First, it will be the grand unveiling of the complex’s brand new video scoreboard, which is currently being installed. Second, the FSU/Portland match will be the first ever live web broadcast of an FSU event. The live video feed of the game will be offered for free and FSU soccer radio man Campo will provide the commentary. Check Seminoles.com for the live video link on Sunday.